Working together to fight cancer

New hope, new paths: the Cancer Patients' Day in Jena

On Saturday, April 13, 2024, the Cancer Patients' Day took place on Ernst-Abbe-Platz in Jena. Under the motto “Breaking new ground in cancer treatment - a day for patients and their relatives”, the campus of Friedrich Schiller University Jena opened its doors to patients and their relatives.

This day, organized by the Central German Cancer Center and sponsored by German Cancer Aid, was much more than just an information event. It was an opportunity for people diagnosed with cancer and their relatives to network, share experiences and explore new approaches to cancer treatment together.

Self-help groups set up information stands in the foyer, while captivating keynote speeches took place in the morning. One of these was given by our professor, Dr. Jutta Hübner, on the topic “What can I do myself? Self-efficacy, nutrition and exercise - news from integrative oncology”. Prof. Hübner is one of the leading personalities in the field of integrative oncology. With her expertise and empathy, she guided the audience through the important aspects of self-efficacy and how nutrition and exercise can have a decisive influence on the fight against cancer.

In addition, the Cancer Patient Day offered a variety of interactive workshops and panels (expert talks) in the afternoon. One of the very well-attended workshops, led by catering manager Nadine Zima and nutritionist Viktoria Mathies, focused on the topic of “Holistic cancer treatment: nutrition as a lifestyle factor”. Participants were given the opportunity not only to gain theoretical knowledge, but also to acquire practical skills by trying out recipes themselves and learning how a healthy diet can be part of a comprehensive treatment approach.